Loveland-area business briefs for March 23

Ryan Schlaefer Fine Furniture Inc. of Loveland will be participating in this year's seventh-annual First Descents Ball to be held at the Ritz-Carlton in Bachelor Gulch at end of this month.

Mueller & Associates, CPA has been selected as a member of the University of South Florida's Fast 56 Class of 2013. The Fast 56 identifies, recognizes and celebrates the 56 fastest-growing USF-owned or USF-led businesses in the world. Mueller & Associates, CPA, is owned by Teresa and Paul Mueller, both of whom are 1977 graduates of USF.

For the 29th straight year, Larimer County has been awarded the "Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting" by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada.

Noble Energy Inc. has announced plans to build and operate a liquefied natural gas facility in conjunction with the company's Keota natural gas processing plant in rural northern Weld County.

Collins Communications Co. , a Fort-Collins-based installer of home audio and video equipment area, has become a certified installer of Wilson Electronics' line of cellular signal boosters. Phone: 493-6356.

Regis University's Loveland campus will be honored as the small business of the month for March by the Fort Collins Chamber of Commerce.

A Purposeful Path recently opened at 211 W. Myrtle St., Suite 103, Fort Collins. Private practitioners Hannah Wood and Ginger Schmidt began in September 2012 with the goal of "providing a unique, energetic and safe environment for psychotherapy." Phone: Wood 541-0603, Schmidt 682-8844.

Tutor Doctor Front Range has received recognition as the Tutor Doctor 2012 Rookie of the Year award. The franchise, 2151 Sunbury Lane, Fort Collins, is an in-home tutoring company serving elementary, high school and college students in Northern Colorado and Wyoming.

People

Dr. David Twedt, professor of Clinical Sciences at CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital, has received the World Small Animal Veterinary Association International Award for Scientific Achievement at the WSAVA World Conference.

Jim O'Neill, director of purchasing and risk management for the city of Fort Collins, was awarded the 2012 Manager of the Year Award from The Rocky Mountain Governmental Purchasing Association.

Dr. Brian Flemming, a chiropractor with Align, has been named the official local representative for the Foundation of Wellness Education.

Blake Metsch, owner of Tutor Doctor Front Range, has received the Client of the Year award recognizing his accomplishments while under the guidance of the The Entrepreneur Source, a franchise business coaching company.

Dr. Jerry Black of Loveland has been elected as a 2013-2014 American Quarter Horse Association director.

Pet hospice and in-home euthanasia company Home to Heaven, 8466 Golden Fields Lane, Loveland, has added James Dye and Margaret Garcia as veterinarians. Kelly Slaymaker also has joined the team as a receptionist.

Calendar

Tuesday, March 26

The city of Fort Collins will host a meeting about the Internet tool nextdoor.com, which it sees as another way to communicate with the public. The meeting will be 6-7:30 p.m. at the Community Room, 215 N. Mason St., Fort Collins. RSVP to Ginny Sawyer at 224-6070 or gsawyer@fcgov.com.

Thursday, March 28

The Small Business Development Center will present "How to Do Business with the Government," noon-1:30 p.m. at the center office, 125 S. Howes St., Suite 150, Fort Collins. Cost: $15 prepaid, $25 at the door. Register at larimersbdc.org.

The Loveland Chamber of Commerce will host a Lunch 'n' Learn 11:30 a.m. at the chamber, 5400 Stone Creek Circle. Speaker will be Joe Chapman, on choosing a credit card processor.